Portable grain-elevator.



PATENTED NOV. 1, l904.- H. O. SPARKS. PORTABLE GRAIN ELEVATOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 9, 1904.

mums-$113M 1 N0 MODEL.

Lg Invetr.

Hem"

Witnesses PATENTED NOV. 1,-1904.

H. 0. SPARKS. PORTABLE GRAIN ELEVATOR.

APPLICATION FILED HA3. 9, 1904.

K Inventor.

N0 MODEL.

UNITED STATES Patented November 1, 1904.

HENRY O. SPARKS, OF SHELBINA, MISSOURI.

PORTABLE GRAIN-ELEVATOR- SPEGIFICATION forming part of Letters PatentNo. 773,820, dated November 1, 1904.

' Application filed March 9, 1904. Serial No- 19'7,323. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY O. SPARKS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Shelbina, inthe county of Shelby and State of Missouri, haveinvented a new and useful Portable Grain-Elevator, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to portable grain-elevators,the same being usedfor elevating grain, corn, and other products to raised places ofstorage; and it has for its object to provide a device of this classwhich shall possess superior advantages in point of simplicity,durability, and general efficiency, which may be readily transportedfrom one place to another, and by means of which the material may beelevated to any desired point and there discharged.

lVith these and other ends in view the invention consists in theimproved construction, arrangement, and combination of parts which willbe hereinafter fully described, and par ticularly pointed out in theclaims.

In the accompanying drawings has been illustrated a simple and preferredform of embodiment of the invention, it being understood, however, thatvarious changes, modifications, and alterations may be made, especiallyas to size, form, and general manner of assemblage within the scope ofthe invention and without departing from the spirit or sacrificing theefficiency of the same.

In said drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of aportable grain-elevator constructed in accordance with the principles ofthe invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the same. Fig. 3 is avertical sectional view taken transversely through the chute and lookingin the direction of the hoisting apparatus. Fig. 4 is a sectional detailView taken on the line 4: 1: in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a detail view showingthe construction of one of the sprocket-wheels used in connection withthe invention. Fig. 6 is a side view illustrating a wagon-body and aportion of the runninggear of a grain-wagon specially constructed foruse in connection with the invention. Fig. 7 is a detail perspectiveview of a portion of the reach and a yoke whereby said reach isconnected with the wagon-body.

Corresponding parts in the several figures are indicated by similarnumerals of reference.

The base-frame of my improved apparatus is composed of a pair of lowsled-runners l 2, suitably connected and spaced apart by means ofcross-pieces 3 and 4: near the ends of said runners and by anintermediate cross-piece 5, said cross-pieces being raised slightlyabove the ground, so as I not to interfere with the draft-animalsWalking between the runners. The cross-pieces 3 4: support a pair oftrackrails 6 6, each provided at the ends thereof with extensions 7 7connected therewith by means of links 8 8, said extensions beingprovided with sloping ends adapted to engage the correspondingly slopingor oblique ends of the track-sections 6, upon which the extensions 7 aresupported while the device is not in operation or while it is beingtransported from one place to another. By simply lifting thetrack-sections 7 their free ends may be swung outwardly to rest upon theground, while their sloping inner ends will be sup ported upon the endsof the rail-sections 6, with which they are connected, thus forming atrack having inclined ends upon which a wagon may be driven up at oneend and down at the other, as will be readily understood.

The base-runners 1 2 are provided at the ends thereof with uprights 9and 10, which converge slightly in an upward direction, the up rights 9at one side of the machine beingv connected by a longitudinal cap-piece11, while the uprights 10 are connected by a longitudinal cap-piece 12.Transverse braces 13 14 connect the uprights 9 10 at the ends of themachine.

The cap-beams 11 12 are provided with bearings for a shaft 15, carryingat one end a sprocket-wheel 16, which is connected by a chain 17 with asprocket-wheel 18, which is mounted upon a crank-shaft 19, journaled inone of the uprights 9 and in a bracket 20, suitably connected with saidupright. Rigidly connected with the sprocket- Wheel 18 is aratchet-wheel 21, engaged by a springpawl 22, which is suitably securedto or connected with the bracket 20, so as to prevent the sprocket-wheel18 from rotating in a reverse direction. Upon the inner sides of thecap-beams 11 12 are journaled a pair of guidepulleys 23, over which apair of hoistingropes 2& pass to the shaft 15, which constitutes awinding-drum to which said ropes are suitably attached. The free ends ofsaid ropes are connected by a cross-piece 25. The transverse brace 13 atone end of the machine supports a bifurcated upright 26, and a clip 27is connected with the cross-brace let at the opposite end of themachine.

2-8 designates a ridge-beam which is pivotally mounted upon a bolt 29,extending transversely through the side members of the clip 27, saidridge-beam extending between the arms or members of the bifurcatedupright 26, between which it is mounted adjustably by means of a bolt30, which latter may be adjusted in perforations 31, extendingtransversely through the arms of said bifurcated upright. The ridge-beam28 carries at its upper end a pulley 32 and at its lower end a pulley33. A hoisting-rope 34: is reeved over said pulleys and over aguide-pulley 35, which is suitably connected with the cross-bar 4 at oneend of the base-frame.

The uprights 1O 10 at one side of the frame of the machine are connectedby a pair of longitudinal braces 36, which extend at the front end ofthe frame so as to form brackets 37, to which are secured a pair ofvertical guidebeams 38, the inner sides of which have grooves 39 toaccommodate a slidable plate &0, at the upper end of which is hingedlymounted achute 41. Means, such as bolts 42, are provided, whereby thechute-carrying plate 40 may be held securely at any desired elevationbetween the grooved guide-bars 38. The upper ends of the latter areconnected by a cross-bar 4:3, and said grooved guide-bars are preferablyconstructed each of a pair of members 38 and 38", connected by means ofhinges 4 k in orderto enable the frame to be folded or collapsed whenthe machine is not in use. For like reasons the ridge-beam 28 when themachine is not in use may be detached from its supports and the upright26, which is hingedly connected with the brace 13, may then be foldeddown, as will be readily understood. The ridge-beam may be constructedof several independent sections suitably connected together, saidsections being capable of being separated from each other in order thatthe ridge-beam may be stored in comparatively small compass.

By the construction of the frame of the machine and its attachments asherein described it is possible to transform the same into a shed orshelter by simply boarding up the sides of the frame, including theuprights 9 9 and 10 10, as shown at 62, and placing over the top of theframe a roof, of sheet metal or )ther suitable material, as indicated at63. The entire structure may thus be transformed nto a structure wherebythe machine itself and. a wagon or farm implement of some kind may besafely sheltered from inclement weather.

I have described bars 36, having the extensions 37, as being connectedwith the uprights 10 at one side of the frame; but it is obvious thatthey may within the scope of the invention be secured to the uprights 9at the opposite side or that such bars or braces may be secured to eachside of the frame in order that the chute-carrying frame may betransferred from one side of the machine to the other, so as to make aright-hand and a left-hand dump, as may be required.

The hoisting-rope 34: or the end of said hoisting-rope which dependsfrom the pulley 32 at the upper end of the ridge-beam carries a bucket45, having a bail 46, which is connected pivotally and eccentricallytherewith, so that when said bucket is elevated by the hoisting-ropewhich is connected with the bail it shall have a tendency to tiltautomatically. This tendency may be counteracted by means of apulling-rope 47, which is connected with the bottom of the bucket at theedge thereof which is nearest the pivotal point. A strength ening-strapL8 extends under the bucket, the ends of said strap being connected withthe members 49, whereby the bucket is connected pivotally with itsbail.- This tilting bucket, as shown in the drawings, be provided withan extension-top 40in order to adapt it to hold a larger quantity oflighter grains, such as oats, and the bail 46 is provided with aplurality of perforations 46, whereby it may be connected adjustablywith the upwardly-extending arms of the strengtheningstrap which extendsunderneath the bucket, so as to provide for the lengthening andshortening of the bail, which may be rendered necessary by the use ofextension-tops of Varying heights.

The sprocket-wheels 16 and 18, which are used in connection with myinvention, are each preferably of the construction illustrated in Fig. 5of the drawings, by reference to which it will appear that theconstruction of said sprocket-wheels includes a hub 50, spokes 51,diverging from said hub, and a rim 52, which is provided with aplurality of transverse clips or chain-guides 53 and with pins 5st,disposed centrally of the chain-guides 53 to engage the links of thechain. This is an extremely simple and effective construction ofelements which ordinarily are rather expensive and which when brokenusually require to be replaced with new ones. By the improvedconstruction herein exhibited repairs of the sprocket-wheels may bereadily effected when required by simply providing new chainengagingclips, which may be readily secured in position upon the rim of thewheel.

It has already been stated that the ridgebeam is preferably constructedof several independent sections suitably connected. It is also preferredto so construct the ridge-beam that it may be adjustable as to thelength thereof by causing the members of which it is composed to beoverlapped to a greater or less extent. Thus in the drawings theridgebeam has been illustrated as being composed of overlapping sections3 1 3 1*, connected adjustably by bolts 34 1 am thereby enabled toelevate the front end of the ridge-beam to a considerable height, and itwill also be observed that by proper adjustment with relation to thesupporting-upright 26 the guidepulley 32 may be supported aboutcentrally between the grooved uprights 38, which support thechute-carrying plate 10. This is obviously important in order that thehoistingbucket when the machine is in operation may be guided in contactwith said plate 10. As will be seen by reference to Fig. 3, thehoisting-bucket while it is being filled occupies a position inalinement with the tail end of the wagon containing the material whichis to be elevated. After the bucket has become filled and the hoistingapparatus is set in motion the bucket will swing or sway laterally untilit reaches a position in contact with the guiding-plate 40, whereby itis retained in an upright position while it is being hoisted and untilthe point is reached, the operator in the meanwhile assisting to preventthe tilting of the bucket by pulling upon the rope 17, provided for thepurpose. The latter obviously serves to connect the upper and lowermembers of the grooved beams 38, said plate extending when the machineis in normal operative position across the parts which are connected bythe hinges 14.

In connection with my invention I use a wagon which is especiallyequipped to cooperate with the hoisting apparatus of my in vention. Thespecial equipment consists in a yoke or bail the ends of the arms 56 ofwhich are pivotally connected with the under side of the wagon-bed 57directly in front of the rear bolster 58, the cross-bar 59 of the yokebeing connected pivotally with the reach 60 of the running-gear. Thisyoke, which may be constructed of ordinary round iron, may be readilyattached to any wagon of ordinary construction.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawingshereto annexed, the operation and advantages of my invention will bereadily understood by those skilled in the art to which it appertains.

hen a wagon containing grain or other material which is to be unloadedand elevated to the place of storage is driven upon the track-rails 6,it will obviously be elevated some distance above the ground. Thehoisting-bucket is now lowered between the track extensions '7 at therear end of the wagon, and the end-gate of the latter is partly removed,so as to cause the contents of the wagon to escape into the bucket. Whenthe latter is full, the end-gate is replaced and the draft-animals,which have in the meantime been detached from the wagon, may now behitched to the end of the hoisting-rope 3 1 for the purpose of elevatingthe bucket. As the latter rises it is held level by means of thepulling-rope attached to the bottom thereof, and it will be guided bycontact with the chute-carrying plate 40 until the upper edge of thelatter is reached, when by releasing the pulling-rope the bucket willautomatically become tilted and discharge its contents over the chute41, whereby it is guided to the place of storage, proper adjustment withrelation to the latter having previouslybeen made. The bucket is nowlowered and the operation is repeated until the wagon has been emptiedof its contents, the emptying of the wagon-box being assisted byadjusting the cross-piece 25 under the front end of the wagon-box, andthen operating the hoisting apparatus, including the sprocket-wheels 18and 16, the drum 15, the crank-shaft 19, and the pawl-and-ratchetmechanism 21 22. The wagon-box will thereby not only be tilted by theupward direct draft upon its rear end, but the draft being exercisedalso in a forward direction the yoke connected with the under side ofthe wagon-bed near the rear end of the latter will become tiltedupwardly, thus raising and temporarily supporting in a raised positionthe rear or discharge end of the wagon-bed. This is obviouslyconvenient, especially when the hoisting-bucket is used in connectionwith an extension-top, which may thus be more readily accommodated underthe discharge end of the wagon. After the wagon has been emptied of itscontents it may by simply releasing the pawl 22 from the ratchet-wheel21 be lowered to its normal position, after which the draft-animals areagain hitched to the wagon and the latter removed from the machine.

It is obvious that instead of utilizing draftanimals for the purpose ofoperating the hoisting mechanism any other suitable power may be madeuse of for this purpose.

The device may be used as a wagon-boxlifting device by simplyduplicating the guiding-pulleys 23 and the flexible hoisting elementspassing from said pulleys to the winding drum or shaft, the duplicatepulleys being disposed on the opposite side of said shaft and havingtheir free ends connected by a cross-bar, which then, together with thecross-bar 25, may be disposed under the ends of the wagon-bed, when byoperating the hoisting apparatus the wagon-box will be lifted off therunning-gear, as will be readily understood.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. A runner-frame,track-rails supported upon the same and having hinged extensions,

ITO

uprights supported by the runners, longitudinal cap-beams and transversebraces connecting the upper ends of said uprights, a winding-drumjournaled upon the cap-beams, guide-pulleys upon the inner sides of thelatter, hoisting elements wound upon the drum and passing over theguide-pulleys, a crosspiece connecting said hoisting elements, asprocket upon the winding-drum, a crankshaft, a sprocket-wheel and aratchet-wheel carried by said shaft, a pawl engaging said ratchet-wheel,and a chain connecting the sprocket-wheel with the sprocket-wheel uponthe winding-drum. v

2. A runner-frame, track-rails supported upon the same and havingextensions hingedly connected therewith, uprights supported upon therunner-frame, cap-beams and transverse braces connecting the upper endsof the uprights, a clip upon one of the transverse braces, a bifurcatedupright hingedly connected with the other brace, a ridge-beam connectedpivotally with the clip and adjustably with the bifurcated upright,pulleys near the ends of said ridge-beam, and a flexible hoistingelement guided over said pulleys.

3. A base-frame, uprights supported by said frame, braces at the upperends of said uprights, a clip connected with one of said braces, abifurcated. upright connected hingedly with the other brace, aridge-beam composed of members connected together adjustably andextensibly, said ridge-beam being connected hingedly with the clip andadjustably with the hinged bifurcated upright, guide-pulleys near theends of said ridge-beam, and a flexible hoisting element guided oversaid pulleys.

4:. A base-frame, uprights supported thereby, braces connecting theupper ends of said uprights, a ridge-beam supported adjustably withrelation to said braces, pulleys near the ends of said ridge-beam, aguide-pulley connected with the base-frame, a flexible hoisting elementguided over said pulley and over the pulleys upon the ridge-beam, a bailconnected with the free end of said hoisting element, a bucket connectedpivotally and cocentrically with said bail, a vertically-disposed frame,and a chute-carrying plate supported adjustably by said frame.

5. In hoisting apparatus, a frame having grooved side pieces and achute-carrying plate adjustable in said grooves.

6. In hoisting apparatus, a frame having grooved side pieces, a platemounted slidingly between said side pieces, and a chute hingedlyconnected with said. plate.

7. In hoisting apparatus, a frame having grooved side pieces, a platevertically adjustable between said side pieces, a chute hingedlyconnected with said plate, and means for retaining the sliding plate atvarious adjustments between the side pieces.

8. In hoisting apparatus, a frame having grooved side pieces, each ofsaid side pieces consisting of a plurality of members hingedl yconnected with each other, and a plate mounted slidingly between saidside pieces and extending over the hingedly-com]ected members to preventthe latter from flexing.

9. In hoisting apparatus, a frame having grooved side members, eachcomprising a plurality of sections hingedly connected, a plate mountedslidingly between said side members, and a chute hingedl y connectedwith said plate.

10. In hoisting apparatus, abaseframe, uprights on said frame, bracesconnecting the upper ends of said uprights, a ridge-beam supportedadjustably with relation to said braces, hoisting-tackle supported bysaid ridge-beam, a frame having grooved side members, a chutecarryingplate mounted slidingly between said side members, a bail connected witha flexible element of the hoisting-tackle, and a bucket connectedpivotally and eccentrically with said bail.

11. In hoisting apparatus, a supportingframc, a chute-carrying plateconnected slidingly and adjustably with said frame, a bail connectedwith a flexible member of the hoist-' ing apparatus, a bucket connectedpivotally and eccentrically with said bail and adapted to be guided incontact with the chute-carrying plate, and a pulling-rope connectedwit-h the bottom of said bucket.

12. The combination with wagon-bed elevating mechanism comprisinghoisting-tackle including a pair of hoisting-ropes and a crossbarconnecting the free ends of the same, of a wagon including a box,running-gear supporting the same, a yoke having the ends of its armsconnected pivotally with the under side of the wagon-bed in front of therear bolster and pivotal connecting means between the cross-bar of saidyoke and the rear of the running-gear.

13. A grain-wagon including a wagon-box and a running-gear, incombination with a box tilting device comprisingayoke pivotallyconnected by the crossbar thereof with the reach of the running-gear andhaving the ends of its arms pivotally connected with the under side ofthe wagon-box in front of the rear bolster.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto afiixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

HENRY O. SPARKS.

Witnesses J onx R. LYELL, C. W. RAsn.

